News About Ohio State Football

News About Ohio State Football

Ohio State Buckeyes football program is one of college football's all-time greats, having won eight national championships, 41 conference titles and 10 division titles.

It is widely regarded as one of the top teams in the Big Ten and often makes the College Football Playoff conversation. This season should be no different even with lost quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Recruiting

When it comes to recruiting the top players, Ohio State has an impressive track record. Their class boasts numerous four- and five-star prospects and they consistently remain at or near the top of recruiting rankings.

Ohio State is renowned for their extraordinary commitment to preparing their players for life after football. Through mock interviews, guest speakers, or internship placements, the recruiting staff does an outstanding job with this aspect of their program.

The 2022 recruiting cycle looks to be another successful one for the Buckeyes. They have an impressive group of recruits that will allow the team to continue its climb up rankings and remain a dominant force in the conference.

Notre Dame still holds the top spot in 2023 recruiting rankings, but Ohio State can overtake them with some great prospects. Their class includes several four-star prospects that would give them enough points to overtake Notre Dame, and they should add another couple more kids before summer's end.

Inniss is the highest recruit in his class and currently the fifth wide receiver in America. A product of American Heritage High School, he has caught 71 passes for 1,319 yards and 15 touchdowns during his high school career. Furthermore, Inniss has made an impressive comeback and could make a significant impact on the field for Ohio State in Columbus.

Tate is the second receiver in this year's class and he hails from IMG Academy. With an impressive resume and promise displayed during All-American Bowl practices and games, he could potentially become a superstar for Columbus and make an immediate impact on the field for the Buckeyes.

Rogers is a four-star wide receiver from Rolesville, NC and his impressive resume and growth as a junior are testament to that fact. In his senior season he amassed 1,432 yards on the ground along with 20 touchdowns plus one punt return score to help his school win a state championship.

Off-the-Road Training

Ohio state football prioritizes off-the-road training during the offseason, helping players prepare for the physical demands of Big Ten play and giving coaches a chance to work with players still recovering from injuries.

On Thursday, Ohio State held their first full practice of the season at Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Members of the local media were in attendance to witness this historic moment as the Buckeyes put on their uniforms for the first time this year.

At the Columbus Buckeyes practice on Tuesday, there was plenty of excitement as scouts from NFL teams such as the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers were in attendance to observe. Former Buckeyes offensive lineman Harry Miller - who medically retired from playing earlier this year - also joined some of the drills.

Other players were in attendance as well. Running backs coach Tony Alford mentioned redshirt freshman Evan Pryor had displayed a powerful burst and is "in prime position" to receive more carries next season.

Justin Frye was one of the loudest voices during practice, shouting out critiques to his players. He gave especially passionate feedback to the offensive line on a run play.

As the day progressed, other coaches took to the microphone. Defensive end and linebacker Mitchell Melton suffered an injury during the second quarter and had to be helped off by two trainers.

On Saturday afternoon, Ohio State received a workout from former linebacker and linebackers coach Jeff Uhlenhake. As they progressed through various phases of 7-on-7 practice, Uhlenhake offered up some tips on how to enhance certain plays.

Another former Ohio state player currently working as an assistant strength coach for the team is former running back and wide receiver James Blackmon. He was present during some of the 7-on-7 drills, conversing with several coaches and players alike.

Another faculty member at Ohio State who's using the stadium to educate his students is Derek Sawyer. As an assistant professor in the school of earth sciences, Sawyer began installing seismometers inside Ohio Stadium last season to measure fan quakes. Now he brings this data back into his classroom so students can better understand limestone density beneath the surface.

Spring Practice

Spring practice is an integral part of many teams' off-season preparation. Here, players and coaches can work out their issues, build trust with new teammates, and establish on-field chemistry.

Ohio State will follow suit, having a full spring practice schedule that includes 15 workouts leading up to the Spring Game on April 17 at Ohio Stadium.

At the start of each season, there are a series of scrimmages that allow fans to watch the team train and compete against one another. These drills not only showcase players' abilities but also allow coaches to assess their rosters and make necessary changes before the start of the season.

One of the key events to watch during spring practice will be quarterback competition. Rising junior Kyle McCord and rising sophomore Devin Brown are competing for the starting quarterback position.

Coach Jim Knowles' Buckeyes must produce big plays and run the ball effectively in short yardage situations if they want to have any chance at success this year. However, their passing game faces a major hurdle with the loss of C.J. Stroud, who could potentially enter the NFL Draft after this season.

Another area to watch closely is the wide receiver rotation. With Marvin Harrison and Sevyn Banks both out due to injury in spring practice, Ohio State has many questions at this position.

The Buckeyes boast an impressive incoming class of wide receivers, but much remains to be determined. A few standout names on the roster, such as freshman James Clark and transfer Tyler Gerald, will help shape things moving forward.

Though it is unlikely that these incoming players will see much action beyond a spring scrimmage, the chance for them to wow coaches and fans is an exciting one.

On top of that, Ohio State can use this as an opportunity to assess their cornerback depth. With the departures of outside corner Shaun Wade and slot corner Cameron Brown, potential fresh faces could see significant action during the spring game.

Schedule

For the second consecutive year, Ohio State has an excellent chance to make the College Football Playoff. Led by a true Heisman candidate and boasting an elite defense that could pose problems for any opponent, these Buckeyes possess all of the pieces needed for success.

This season, Ohio State is predicted to finish in the top half of their conference and should move up into the top three for College Football Playoff rankings. Furthermore, they must win at least eight games and secure a place in the BCS Championship Game.

Ohio State will kick off their 2023 season against Indiana in the first Big Ten game of the year. Following that, they travel to Notre Dame and Purdue over the next two weeks.

Another big non-conference challenge awaits Ohio State in the form of TCU, who could potentially crack the Top 10 this year. Although the Horned Frogs have had some struggles this season, a win against TCU would be hugely beneficial as they prepare for their second Big Ten schedule.

Michigan, however, presents the Buckeyes with an interesting challenge. Though the Spartans have struggled this year, it is reasonable to assume they will return to form next season and could be a contender in the Big Ten for another consecutive year.

If the Buckeyes can secure a victory, it will send them into October with a perfect 4-0 record and prove Urban Meyer's squad remains the best in the league. Conversely, a loss would make Penn State the team to beat in conference and could mean another loss for OSU which could put an end to their chances of winning both the Big Ten title and a College Football Playoff spot.

If you're interested in attending an Ohio State football game this season, be sure to review the schedule below and purchase some tickets through StubHub. This way, you can enjoy an incredible college football matchup without worrying about breaking your budget!